Shakespearean Vocabulary Activity

Another great way to engage your students by creating a storyboard that uses Shakespearean vocabulary. Many students struggle with common Shakespearean words. Getting students to use them in context before reading is an excellent way to cultivate vocabulary comprehension. In the example below, students created storyboards using standard Shakespearean terms.

In a Shakespearean vocabulary board, students can use the words in a sentence they create, or they can pick a phrase from the play. In the example storyboard, the student has chosen to create their sentences for their words:

• Marry - Indeed:

  "Then they asked me if that was the word of the Prince, and I replied, 'It was marry!'"

• Pray - To hope:

  "I pray the nurse comes quickly with good news!"

• Sauce - Sassy:

  "The saucy porter wouldn't let me in without a password."

• Thou - You (used for one person who is the subject of a sentence):

  "If thou hast a cold come see me... the friendly apothecary!"

Student Instructions

Create a spider map storyboard for Shakespearean vocabulary words and phrases.

1. Identify unfamiliar words or phrases that Shakespeare uses.
2. Type each into the title boxes.
3. Briefly describe the meaning of the word in the description box.
4. Create a standalone comic in each cell that has the word in a sentence in a speech or thought bubble.